Money, Money, Money

What an exciting day ...

This morning, Debbie, Tiffanie, and I met for our first team fundraising event.  Every year, Roswell Recreation and Parks Department hosts a HUGE Easter egg hunt ... and my mom is the director of it all!  So, she kindly reserved a booth for us ...

Me, Tiffanie, and Debbie

AND ... Chick-fil-a of Roswell Corners donated 50 FREE chicken sandwiches and DS Waters donated 10 FREE cases of Athena water!  So, needless to say, we were easily able to collect $330!  We are so thankful for the amazing donations from these local business as well as the support from the thoughtful people who visited our booth ... we couldn't do it without you!

Here's to a GREAT start to our team fundraising events ...

Precious Gift

This afternoon, in the middle of an extremely busy day, I was able to stop for a moment to receive a beautiful gift from a wonderful friend ...

Cheryl and I met when her daughter joined my newly formed Girl Scout troop in 2010. Since then, we have had the opportunity to get to know each other quite well and have developed a special friendship.  Cheryl is amazingly creative ... she is a wedding cinematographer and digital scrapbooker ... and one of the most talented artists I know ...

Today, Cheryl and her daughter gave me something I will cherish forever ...

Cheryl "published" my blog ... and it is PERFECT!  She has been working on this book since the day of my first infusion and completed it shortly after I received my pathology results. Each page is filled with my words and her creativity ... and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

Thank you, Cheryl, for this precious gift ...

View from Above

So, as I look down ... I see something different ... I see SOMETHING!  As of this morning, my boobs are officially bigger than they were prior to my mastectomy.  Although, I am convinced that I came out of surgery with larger breasts ...

Today, I had my first expansion with my plastic surgeon ... and it was pretty amazing ...

As I explained in a previous post, each expander is equipped with a magnetic port.  So, first Dr. Woods located the port and then marked each breast.  Then, he inserted a needle, which was attached to a syringe and a bag of saline.  Finally, he pressed the fluid into each breast until the tissues were tight ... 40 cc of additional saline in each side, to be exact. Luckily, my chest is completely numb ... so I felt nothing except pressure ... no pain whatsoever!

Honestly, I would LOVE to post a photo ... because the view from above is VERY exciting. Unfortunately, I am not sure my sweet husband would approve ...

Anyhow, here's to a GREAT day ... and to much more pleasant doctor visits ...

Meals on Wheels

Over the past several months, more than 40 meals have been thoughtfully delivered to our house.  After each of my treatments and for three full weeks after my surgery, my family, friends, and neighbors prepared healthy, delicious meals for us ... allowing me to rest, relax, and heal ...

There are just no words to express my gratitude ... I'm not sure how we would have done it without the help of each of these wonderful people ...

You know who you are and THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart ...

Reminders

This afternoon, I headed to Kroger with the kids to get a few things for the upcoming week.  As I was walking down the coffee aisle, I noticed a familiar face.  It only took a few seconds before I realized who the young woman was ... Dana Poole.

If you have been following my blog, you may recognize her name.  If not, please read "Anything But Routine" from September 9, 2011 ... that day was such a wonderful blessing.

Dana looks great and seems very happy, which is wonderful!  She has almost completed the process of reconstruction and, although she isn't completely finished, she is far beyond the most difficult part of treatment.  Just as it was many months ago ... it is comforting to know that there are young breast cancer survivors out there ... women, like Dana, living their lives happily.  Now, as I begin to get back to life ... doing everyday things ... I am so very thankful for reminders like this ... given to me by God ...

Dana & Me

Back to Life

What an amazingly exciting day ...

Today, I am officially released to resume life as normal.  Of course, I am playing it safe ... no power lifting or marathon running, but I am getting back to the day-to-day tasks ...

This morning, I had the privilege of taking Maddie to school and escorting her to her classroom.  Then, it was off to Kohl's with my 30% off coupon ... and WOW ... I racked up BIG time.  New clothes for the kids and a few things for myself ... AND $40 in Kohl's Cash, too.  Next, my wonderful mom and I met my aunt and my cousin for lunch at Panera Bread ... YUM!  Finally, I picked up Andrew from school and headed home ... only to be greeted by a SUPER CLEAN house ... thanks to my amazing housekeeper!

So, thus far, I have had a wonderful day ... BUT, it's not over yet ...

At promptly 5:00, I intend to have my very first adult beverage in almost a month ... ROCK ON!  It feels SO good to get back to life ...

Here's to a PERFECT day ...

Hallelujah Acres

Today, I met an amazing woman named Marti.  She was introduced to me by my dear friend Sarah ... we are both breast cancer survivors.  Marti is a faithful Christian ... extremely passionate about nutrition ... and believes she has been led to share her knowledge with women (and men) looking for a healthier lifestyle ...

For many months, I have been reading, researching, and learning about life after cancer. Of course, there is SO much information out there, but the one thing that is most consistent ... a low-fat, vegetarian diet filled with fresh fruits and vegetables ... and daily exercise.

Most of the time, I thoroughly enjoy working out ... so the exercise element should not be a problem.  The diet, on the other hand ... well, for those of you who know me ... I LOVE fruit, but I very much dislike most vegetables.  So, my greatest question has been ... how am I going to make this happen?  Well, the resounding answer is ... JUICING!  Which lead me to even more questions ... questions I thought I might never have answered ...

Until today ...

Marti kindly opened her home to a few interested women and shared her knowledge with us ... and it was EXACTLY what I needed.  I am so excited about what I have learned and so very eager to get started ...

Marti shared LOTS of information with us ... so much that I couldn't possible share it all with you.  So, if you are interested, please check out the Hallelujah Acres "Diet" ... it's actually more of a lifestyle ... at www.Hacres.com.

As I have said so many times before ... God has been working in my life ... and meeting Marti was another precious gift from Him ...

Here's to Marti ... and to juicing ...

Prayers

Every night, throughout this journey, I have prayed for healing ... for a long, happy life WITHOUT cancer.  And, thus far, my prayers have been answered ... the results from each and every one of my scans are proof that God absolutely hears our prayers ... and is working in our lives every single day ...

Every night, throughout this journey, I have also prayed for the millions of women whose lives have been forever changed by breast cancer ... as well as their family and friends. Tonight, I am asking you to do the same ...

Please take a moment to say a prayer for these women ... and those that love them ...

These women are currently in treatment ...

Danielle
Nicole
Tracy
Sarah

These women have completed treatment and are survivors ...

Dana
Ginger
Jan
Mary Ann
Michelle
Sarah

A couple of these women I have known for many years.  Most of them, I've met in the last six months. Several of these women are older than I am ... most only a few years.  The others are younger ... one in her twenties.  All of these women want the very same thing ... a LONG, HAPPY, CANCER-FREE life.

Although I have learned SO much from this experience, the one thing I have learned above all others ... God is REAL, God is GREAT, and He hears our prayers ...

Tonight, let's pray ... and give thanks ...

Road to Recovery

It has been well over two weeks since my surgery and I am doing quite well ... all things considered!

The road to recovery has been better than I expected.  Honestly, I have had very little pain ... just discomfort that is easily managed with pain medication.  Of course, my chest feels very different and that takes some getting used to, as you can imagine.  For me, the most frustrating part of the healing process is my inability to do much of anything.  Thankfully, I have had LOTS of help around the house and with the kids. We have had home-cooked meals from friends and neighbors delivered every evening. And, I have received the sweetest cards and several bouquets of flowers.  I feel so blessed.

Luckily, I am healing quickly and my plastic surgeon is pleased with my progress.  Just six days after surgery, I had all four of my drains removed.  What a relief ...

Although the drains weren't painful, they were cumbersome ... and gross.  Having them removed was quite an experience ... not something I would choose to do again, but not as painful as you might think.  Anyhow, they are gone now ... thank goodness.

Otherwise, I continue to sleep on my back which, for me, is not the most comfortable position.  And, until the end of this week, I am to continue to "keep things quiet up there" ... as my surgeon says ... allowing my body to heal as completely as possible before resuming normal activity.  I am very much looking forward to using my arms again ... and getting back to a regular routine.  Until then, I am taking it easy and trying to enjoy the pampering as much as possible.

Here's to the many, many people who have lent a helping hand over the past couple of weeks ... you all are the BEST ...

Thanks Be To God

Tonight, I am giving thanks to God ... for guiding me, for hearing my prayers, for healing me.  There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, God carried me through this amazingly difficult journey ... and, for that, I will be forever grateful!

Thanks be to God ...

From Fighter to Survivor

This afternoon, we received the most WONDERFUL news from my breast surgeon's office ...

"Jill's pathology results are in ... they found nothing ... she achieved a pathologic complete response."

These are the words I have been fighting for ... for over six months.  So, what does it mean?  A pathologic complete response is defined as the absence of any residual tumor cells in a histologic evaluation of a tumor specimen.  So, after surgery, the removed tissue was carefully dissected and NO CANCER was found!  This is the absolute BEST result possible for anyone fighting cancer AND, in my case, was also the desired outcome for Dr. O'Regan's study ... all around GREAT, GREAT news!

Today, I am officially a SURVIVOR ... and I give EVERY BIT of thanks to God ...

Rainbow of Promise

Throughout this journey, I have been given so much hope ... most of which, I believe, has been provided to me through signs from God ...

Here is the latest ...

Even if you aren't very familiar with the bible, I would bet you know the story of Noah's Ark ...

In the Book of Genesis, God sees the wickedness of man and is grieved by his creation, resolving to send a great flood to cleanse the Earth.  God directs Noah to build a seaworthy ark.  Once Noah's work is complete and all of the animals are onboard, the floods begin and continue for 40 days and 40 nights.  Once the water recedes and dry land appears, Noah, his family, and the animals leave the ark to repopulate the Earth. And then, God says to Noah, "Look up in the sky."  As Noah looked up, he noticed that the storm clouds had drifted away, the sun was shining, and against the dark grey sky, God made a brilliant rainbow.  God said, "You see, I have set my rainbow in the sky.  This will be the sign of the covenant I have made with you and all creatures, never again to destroy the Earth.  It will always remind us of the promise between you and me."

Shortly after Dr. Barber completed his portion of my surgery, he came out to share the news with my family ... "Jill's lymph nodes are clear and there is no visible tumor in the removed tissue."

Just a few minutes later, Scott walked outside ... and this is what he saw ...

I have weathered the storm, the dark grey clouds have been lifted, and God sent a rainbow as his promise ... a symbol of hope ... of the bright future that lies ahead ...

Here's to rainbows ... and God's promise ...

Success

My much anticipated surgery is OVER ... and it was quite a success ...

Scott and I arrived at Piedmont Hospital a little before 8:00 on Friday morning.  About an hour later, I was taken back to pre-op to prepare for the first procedure of the day.  I changed clothes, the nurse started my IV, and I met with the anesthesiologist.  Then, I was taken to radiology for two injections and a scan ... all to assist my surgeon in locating my sentinel node/nodes during surgery.

Then, I returned to pre-op where I had the opportunity to meet with each of my doctors while we waited for access to the operating room ...

Dr. Barber & Me

Dr. Woods & Me

Finally, I was given an injection to help me relax and then wheeled back to the operating room ...

From that point on, I remember nothing ... thank goodness!

While I was in surgery, my family waited patiently for information.  Dr. Barber, my breast surgeon, began the procedure by removing my sentinel lymph nodes for evaluation.  Often times there is only a single node, but in my case there were three ... and they were ALL CLEAR!  Then, all of my breast tissue was removed, as well as my nipples.  Once Dr. Barber completed his portion of the surgery, he updated my family and shared the GREAT news ...

At that point, it was time for Dr. Woods, my plastic surgeon, to begin reconstruction.  The expander was placed behind the muscle and AlloDerm, regenerative tissue, was sewn to the muscle.  This creates a "pocket" for the implant as well as a barrier between the implant and the skin.  Just before the completion of surgery, Dr. Woods added 125 cc of fluid to each expander ... and I woke up with breasts about the same size they were before.  

Overall, everything went VERY well ... the surgery was a success, my care was superb, and I had LOTS of wonderful visitors to help pass the time.  Honestly, I have no complaints!  

Today, I am so very thankful for the amazing family and friends that have stood by me throughout this journey ... and, most importantly, to God for blessing my life in so many ways ...

Here's to CANCER-FREE ... 

Nerves

I cannot express, in words, how nervous I am about tomorrow.  Honestly, the whole thing is CRAZY ... I just want it to be OVER!

In less than 24 hours, I will be preparing for a bilateral mastectomy.  Surgery begins at noon and should last about four hours.  More than likely, I will spend the weekend in the hospital ... mainly for observation and pain management.  Hopefully, everything will go well and I will be home on Sunday.  

As you enjoy your day tomorrow, please think of me and my family.  And, more importantly, please take a moment to pray ... for my doctors, for success, and for a clean pathology report.   

Here's to leaving the operating room CANCER-FREE ...